The purpose of this study is to challenge the discourse that underage drinking is inevitably "deviant." Rather than imposing an adultist lens, the article draws upon focus-group interviews with 14-15 year olds. The meaningful role of drinking is explored, along with the capability of peer cultures to manage some alcohol-related "risks." The data…

This study investigated the social dynamics that underlie the negative association between religiosity and cigarette use among U.S. adolescents. Using data from the 2007 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, the authors used a theory-based conceptual model (vicarious learning networks [VLN]) to examine the role that key reference group norms…

Argues that legal socialization entails a commitment to institutional authority and variations in attitudes toward such authority emerge in adolescence. Presents a study in which attitudes toward institutional behavior were examined, finding a sex difference (males more negative and less compliant) and a significant correlation of attitudes with…

This paper presents a series of propositions concerning processes that are at work in mentoring relationships, with each proposition accompanied by a brief discussion of the theory and research on which it is based. Examples are provided of the role of mentoring in the development of creative individuals. The propositions cover the following…

This paper explores and highlights the importance of social, cultural, and behavioral contexts in the effectiveness of mentoring relationships. A first section looks at growing up in American and the varieties of personal and social development that are found. This section argues against viewing adolescents as similar across the boundaries of…